Sunday, October 21, 2012

During the Vice Presidential debates, moderator Martha
Raddatz asked the two contenders about abortion and how their faith informs
their lives. VP Joe Biden said, “My religion defines who I am...” He is, like Paul Ryan, a Catholic. Unlike
Ryan, it appears he decides which doctrines and dogma he decides to accept.

The longer quote:

"I accept my church’s position on abortion as a — what we
call a de fide doctrine. Life begins
at conception in the church’s judgment. I accept it in my personal life. But I
refuse to impose it on equally devout Christians and Muslims and Jews, and I
just refuse to impose that on others…"

Not being Catholic I had to look up "de fide": De
fide (of the faith) is a "theological note" or "theological
qualification" that indicates that some religious doctrine is an essential
part of Catholic faith and that denial of it is heresy.[1] (Wikipedia
Dictionary)

This also, to my understanding, something
revealed by God. Apparently the issue of abortion doesn't qualify.

To my greater point, politicians often separate their faith
from their politics. This causes me severe cognitive dissonance. If your faith
informs and defines you, how can you in practice ignore the values, beliefs or teachings of
your Faith or Church?

Biden's answer is typical; he refuses to impose them on
others. The Kennedy's are all pro abortion and nearly all have gotten divorces
against the doctrine of the Church they claim to belong to. Nancy Pelosi,
another Catholic has even said abortion is an unsettled matter in the Church,
and doctrine has developed only in the last fifty years.

"I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic,
this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is, over the centuries, the
doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition. And Senator–St. Augustine said at three
months. We don’t know. The point is, is
that it shouldn’t have an impact on the woman’s right to choose. Roe v. Wade talks about very clear
definitions of when the child–first trimester, certain considerations; second
trimester; not so third trimester.
There’s very clear distinctions.
This isn’t about abortion on demand, it’s about a careful, careful
consideration of all factors and–to–that a woman has to make with her doctor
and her god. And so I don’t think anybody can tell you
when life begins, human life begins. As
I say, the Catholic Church for centuries has been discussing this, and there
are those who’ve decided…"

The Catholic Church teaches life begins at conception. It
has been since at least 70 CE.

“The second commandment of the teaching: You shall not
murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not seduce boys. You shall not
commit fornication. You shall not steal. You shall not practice magic. You
shall not use potions. You shall not procure [an] abortion, nor destroy a
newborn child” (Didache 2:1–2 [A.D. 70]).

The Catechism in paragraphs 2271, 2272, and 2274, and
explicit in 2322:

"From its conception, the child has the right to life.
Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a
“criminal” practice (GS 27 § 3), gravely contrary to the moral law. The Church
imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human
life."

If a politician claims to belong to a religious institution,
or claims belief in the teachings and values of their stated Faith, when they
say, like Biden, their Faith defines them, they should walk the talk. It's not
a matter of forcing beliefs on others. Such people deciding to be politicians,
regardless of political affiliation, should vote issues according to their
Faith if they state it's what defines them. They should run for office stating they cannot vote for pro abortion
laws or State funded abortion because of religious beliefs. The same with any issue. They should tell the public their affiliation and beliefs when they run for office, and that they obey and practice them. Biden saying his
Religion informs his life, then not acting on that, makes him both a hypocrite
and a liar. These people's politics and lust for power inform their lives, not
their Church or their Faith.

What church or what religion one practices is a matter of
choice. Belonging to a Church is voluntary.

If one disagrees with those teachings, dogma, doctrine,
another Church should be found. To do anything other than that is hypocritical
and cowardly.

No comments:

Steven L Dexter

About Me

Live and work in Las Vegas. Attend First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Las Vegas. I served in Vietnam from December 1969 to February 1971 in the 11th Armored Cav..."I" Troop... where I drove a tank, and Air Cav in the ARP's (Aero Rifle Platoon). Also served in the Navy from 1976 to 1980 on the USS Cayuga and USS Duluth. I graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1974 with a degree in social work. I spent two years hitching and working in the oil patch in Wyoming as a roughneck. Lived for about 25 years in San Diego, my favorite city. I'm proud to be Christian, Soldier, Sailor, Conservative.

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Angle of repose (Physics), the inclination of a plane at which a body placed on the plane would remain at rest, or if in motion would roll or slide down with uniform velocity; the angle at which the various kinds of earth will stand when abandoned to themselves.To me it represents a state when elements and influences of my life come into balance. The angle where a relationship leans perfectly to support one another. The angle where my relationship with God is where I remain at rest on Him. The angle where my intellectual and spiritual growth constantly increases.

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"Hot Springs" *** Part of the Swagger series, this one with Earl Swagger. Mindless good storytelling.

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